\version "2.11.44"
\header { title = "Using scheme to add staccato to a sequence of notes" }

% To modify a sequence of notes, it's easiest to use a filter:
#(define (addStaccatoFilterFunction event)
  (let ( (eventname (ly:music-property  event 'name)) )
    (if (eq? eventname 'EventChord)
      (let ( (elements (ly:music-property event 'elements)) )
        ; don't add staccato to rests!
        (if (not (eq? (ly:music-property (car elements) 'name) 'RestEvent))
          (set! (ly:music-property event 'elements)
            (cons (make-music 'ArticulationEvent 'articulation-type "staccato")
              elements
            ))))))
)

addStaccato = #(define-music-function (parser location music) (ly:music?)
   (music-filter addStaccatoFilterFunction music)
)

\score {
  <<
    \new Staff \relative { \addStaccato { c4 r4 c g' g a g2 f f <c e > <c e> <b d>2 r4 c } \bar"|." }
  >>
}